December activity

December did not bring rest, but more fun times with friends and family. The beginning of the month brought some special visitors. Julie (and Chris), Kris (and Rob), EG (and Tiffany) all came for a long weekend visit. They arrived on Thursday night and departed on Sunday! It was all too short, but oh so much fun. We had a sitter on Friday night, we headed out early to catch happy hour prices...which meant more drinking (and eating). We rallied until about 2am, and I think we could have went longer, but I am sure the sitter wanted to go home. Saturday we just hung out then grilled up some delicious steaks for Chris's bday, played some euchre, and continued to put our drink on. It was so much fun to all be together, it just doesn't happen often enough. Until next year....
The next weekend Scott and I visited New Orleans to see John Prine with Iris DeMent at the House of Blues. It rained all weekend, but it was so nice to be together just the two of us in an amazing city. We ate, drank, walked, shopped, listened to live music, stayed up too late...but, since we were sans Carsten we slept in and took naps! It was glorious!!!
Starting the weekend off right, the Roddiger's (who sat Carsten for us) advised us to start off with two....um, I would have been on my ass! We had one then opted for dinner, then more drinks up and down and off Bourbon. What a night!

The following weekend was filled with last minute shopping, venturing around Austin, and preparing ourselves for the long drive home. We drove through the night on the 21st, Carsten slept the entire way...12 hours and 1 minute door to door. Christmas celebrations started on the 23rd and concluded on the 27th, all of them wonderful and more memories created. Carsten was still a bit more interested in the paper than the actual toy. Next year I am sure will be a different story. It was fantastic to see family while we were home, going to have to catch up with all our friends on the next visit...sorry. With Christmas falling on the weekend it was tough to fit everything in our schedule. We hope the holidays blessed everyone with fond memories of past and kindled new memories made. Here is our Christmas tree and pic of the best present ever!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

November activity

So sorry to those of you who do check our blog...it has been two months since I posted a pic or news or anything. Blame it on the holidays, blame it on being lazy, blame it on being too busy...or just deal with it! Check out a few pics from of our November activity.

Bethany turned 30 the beginning of November, the Burkemper clan surprised her in KC and last minute Carsten and I decided to join the fun. We surprised everyone, it was a fantastic night. It was too short, but wonderful to see everyone.
Scott traveled to Uruguay for a business trip, he was away for one week. Carsten and I drove to Houston to visit Ginger and James, our dear friends from Shanghai. We have not seem them since the move and so lucky they are so close to us here in the US. Ginger and I visited during the day, checked out the home they are building, and then dined with James in the evening. I also got to meet her "second" (i like to call Carsten her first) grand baby. We had an awesome trip with the exception of dealing with this for three days.....he was cutting his molars!
We met up with the Schnellers in Dallas for the Cowboys game. Thank goodness they won or both Scott and I would have puked! Just kidding. It was a great day, sunshine, cold drinks, good food, great friends.
For Thanksgiving, we went to Stonecrest Ranch. Food was delicious and the hosts were the best part of it all. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends who are near and dear to our hearts. We followed up our Thanksgiving with a quick trip home for the weekend. Adam put together a surprise anniversary party for Hoot and Kay, they were both surprised! It was a fantastic party, saw a few people that I have not seen in years. Carsten ran around until he was tuckered out!
A small photo shoot before we left. The ranch is SO picturesque and of course we think Carsten is adorable. So we snapped a bunch of pics with a rocking chair, stool and the house.

Gravity Stinks!

Carsten had a fight with gravity yesterday while on the driveway...guess who won? Then, today he had his one year shots. Scuffed up nose, four pokes in my legs...being a baby is a rough life.

Carsten turns ONE!

The preparations were complete....

The guests had arrived...

It was time to dig in...Dad giving me a little taste

And, I think he liked it!
Carsten is one lucky little boy. All of his Grandmas and Grandpas came to town for his first birthday. We had such a wonderful weekend visiting with all of them and he thoroughly enjoyed being spoiled. On Monday evening he was looking in the guest bedrooms for other people...it was so cute and so sad. He kept peeping his head into the spare bedroom as if he was looking for one of them. Tks so much for coming to town and playing with me, now it is just back to boring ol' mom and dad.

Fall Festival-Pumpkin Patch

Two weekends ago we visited the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, they were hosting their annual Fall Festival. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Austin, mid 70s, clear blue sky, and sunshine! Wouldn't want it any other way...

The fall festival had a few animals, a wagon ride, pumpkins, food, swings, etc. etc. In general a great place to let the kiddos roam free and have a great time. Carsten really enjoyed the wagon ride and he did his best to pick up a pumpkin.

We were thinking the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm would be a great spot to start a Christmas Tree Hunt in Texas....womp! womp!! When we walked up the sign said "No Alcohol" Boo Hiss! They will not be getting our Christmas Tree Hunting Money

Driving.

Miniature Brahman

He never looks at the camera, but what one year old does?

Look at that sky!!!!
So happy to be back in America for the blue skies, rare to see a sky like that in Shanghai.

Bukhara at the Burkemper's house

Scott cooked up some deliciousness tonight. Tilapia and Saag Paneer...holy goodness it was so tasty! Made me remember so many wonderful dinners in Shanghai at Bukhara and Masala Art. We are excited to make again, so please invite yourself to dinner. :)

Pics from the festivities

We went to Luckenbach, but not with Waylon, Willie and the boys. Great little place!

We went to Coyote Ugly, but didn't get crazy on top the bar...oh, but believe me the thought did enter our minds!

Sistas!

Friends!

Love!

All dolled up and ready for tasty tapas dinner and party on 6th street! What a fun night and fantastic memories.

Drinks...we had PLENTY of those!

The Surprise!

Here is my reaction when Lynn and Dawn showed up at 10pm on a Thursday night to celebrate my 30th birthday. Scott told me a coworker was stopping by for one drink...he did a great job keeping it a surprise and his "cover" story was 100% believable. I never suspected a thing!


The initial "shock"...Holy Shit, that is my sister...and, Lynn!

WOW!

Trying to hold back tears of excitement

Baby Yoda

The early makings of Carsten's "Baby Yoda" Halloween Costume.
I still have to sew his cape, but holding off a bit in case he hits a growth spurt.

Get your motor running...

Carsten and his motor boat!

My morning sunshine

Carsten is always very happy when he wakes in the morning. He chats up a storm and then always give a big smile when you enter the room! Probably the most favorite part of my day.

Laundry basket fun

Lake Travis with the Roddiger's

Chris and Eric traveled to Austin with friends for their annual lake trip. They invited us out to the condo where they were staying, we enjoyed some tasty beverages and yummy snacks. It was great to see them and wonderful to meet their friends. Tks Chris and Eric, looking forward to seeing you in Houston!


Chris and Carsten



He had so much fun exploring the entire deck



Cards were playing the Astros, Chris and Eric came to Lake Travis with friends from Houston. Therefore, we had to show our Cardinals spirit!



Eric and Scott, Lake Travis